Catamarans have been invited to participate in this year's St. Pete NOOD regatta (I've forgotten what the first two letters stand for, but the last two are 'One Design').

This has traditionaly been a "Big Boat" and a monohull regatta, but now Beach Cats are invited, I volunteered to be the F16 fleet contact for them. Here is the website for more info:

http://www.sailingworld.com/nood-regattas/st-petersburg

And the registration page:https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=4698

The registration fee is $185. Class formation deadline is February 6, 2012; each class needs a minimum of six boats for a class to remain eligible to race. The late fee starts January 30th, 2012 at 5pm EST, which is a tagged on $50.00 fee if you register or pay after this date and time. Please keep this is mind when sending checks by mail. The last day to receive a refund or cancel your entry is February 13, 2012. Racing takes place February 17-19, 2012 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

The launching site is just North of the Northshore pool. You can google “901 North Shore Drive Northeast St Pete 33701” for a look at it. The F18's and A cats have both been invited too.

Contact persons; Me for F16, Karl Langfeld for F18, and Ben Moon for A cats.

$185? For what?

Looks like 3 days of racing and socializing (****, food, & entertainment).

Schedule of Events

Pass.

Annapolis also is a NOOD location but strictly monos, April 29-May 1. Too bad, Annapolis Yacht Club does a great job with the event, on and off the water; and it would be great exposure for beachcat racing in the Annapolis area.

There are a lot of F16 owners in the Tampa area (GYC), I wonder if they will show?

Are you attending?

Nope, I have a trip to Dubai that weekend.

Hey Terry, thanks to you and Kris, for all the hospitality and great meals all weekend!

I participated in the SP-NOOD many years ago as a crew on an Ultimate 20. For that much money, I would expect some kind of on the water lunch being provided at the minimum, but I don't see any reference to something like that.

The price does seem a bit steep. $40 for the party and $145 for the privilege of competing? If you are one boat short for the class minimum and I have my trailer situation set up, PM me and I will strongly consider it. I liked the NOOD the last time I did it, and the venue is really nice.

Charlotte Harbor would make a nice warm up regatta!

This event is a toss up. I have done it a few years now on a Corsair S750. Some years it is 50F and blowing 25+ and in other years it is 80F and no wind at all. Either way, it is a fun event, and it is going to be awesome to have beach cats racing in this event this year.

I would doubt beachcat sailors would cough up that much entry fee even if there were pole dancers at the party...

You would.

I'd pay it, but only if it's Jay dancing on the pole!

"Pictures or it never happened!"

Terry, I'm kicking you square in the jimmy next time I see you for that.

Wow, Jay, you been working out!

Hey...if you think you might be able to attend this St. Pete NOOD, register soon.

You don't have to pay until you show up...but there is that $50 late fee after Jan. 30th.

I am going to register now, but as I mentioned earlier, right now I have a Dubai trip that interferes with it, so unless I get a swap, I won't be there, but I'll register now, just in case it happens.

Here's the link: https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=4698

I registered before checking my calendar. I will NOT be attending.

Sorry.

I have done the NOOD (National Offshore One Design) Regatta since 2006 except for '08 (death in the family) and 2011 (my C 24 was damaged when lightning struck the house next door). For those planning to attend, or who are on the fence, may I suggest the early 20th century hotels in the 3rd and 4th street sector - easy walk to the yc for the party. Publix is nearby for morning provisions.

Early start at 0900 each day - plan spending a day on the water a mile plus change out from the harbor. Mark your waypoint for the harbor channel if fog plays a role. One year I was glad I did.

Courses feature two laps - W/L with an upwind finish. I encouraged Larry Geller to take this action of inviting cats last year, and now it's real. You most likely will be on the circle with the tris. There may even be a dozen plus J 80s on the circle. Mind your manners coming in to the leeward mark with that posse

After our trip to Islamaroda the family budget is tight, plus my grandson is planning on doing the 420 Midwinters.

It's worth the extra change - the give aways can be almost worth the entry fee - especially if you win!!! Open Bar with some of the finest sailors east of the Mississippi River are waiting to meet you.

JC asked me to promote the event, so there you have it. Legs can be a mile and a half by the way.

The F 18s have been sailing in the San Francisco NOOD since it was reinstated two years ago.